What Wheels?

[TheYak]

I'm in the market for a new set of wheels, but don't really know what to look for. Deep section vs Shallow, low spoke count vs high and so and so on! I read the reviews and advertising, but how do I decide what will work for me in the wind and over the mountains of Cape Town? Essentially, I'm looking for a decent set of wheels that will respond well and get me over the climbs. Oh and of course, there is a budget! At this point, I'm looking at a set of Easton EA90 SLX which come in around the R5000 mark. Does anyone have a set or a sugestion of something better for the same price or less.

[Christie]

Hi Yak, your budget allows for some top of the range clincher wheels, or some 2nd had deep section wheels of the less well known brands. For about R7500, you can start looking at 2nd hand zipps.

 

Some questions:

 

Are you a climber or a tt type ryder?

Would you be concerned with a weight limit on the wheels?

Will the wheels be used only for racing, or for regular training rides as well?

What groupset have you got?

[TheYak]

Hi Christie,

 

I tend to climb fairly well and get left behind on the sprints.

 

I've got a Merida 905 Aluminium frame with Ultgra 10sp and Shimano 550 wheels on at the moment, I'm thinking of using the new wheels just for racing, (Vets league) and using one of my older sets, fromt he 550's down, for training.

 

As for weight, ya, that does concern me, but only as far as my budget allows!

 

Would I buy tubbies... I dunno, had not really thought about it.

 

 

[no.one.knows]

hey yak.

tubbies are good but do you have a back up vehicle cause if you dont and you puncture, its race over.

 

[no.one.knows]

with clinchers, you can at least fix and carry on with the race, as for weight difference, its not that much between them.

[ignious]

Easton ascents... wats the difference between them and the ea90 slx?

[TheYak]

Since the "Big Invitation" to the team seems to have got lost int he post, I suppose I'll have to stick with fixing my own punctures!

[misspiggy]

yip the ascents are much better, lighter and R series hubs, same as the hubs on the carbon tempests

[no.one.knows]

ya we all have to do that in life. well as far as the two types go, here are the diffs:

clinchers are slightly heavier, they also have more rolling resistance, but only slightly. as far as i can tell from being told by others who have deepy's, they are the way to go, they keep you  in the bunch. but ya its up to you. happy buying!

 

[TheYak]

My concern about Deep sections is the wind effect, especially on a cross wind. In Cape Town, the wind is always blowing! Does the downside of a bigger wind profile get negated by other benefits of deep?

[no.one.knows]

Hmm, as i dont own a pair, i could not tell you. all i can share is knowledge from others who ride deepy's. i would imagine a strong cross-wind would effect you.

[TheYak]

The only point to this, is when I look around me on the start line, all the guys that end up on or near the podium have seriously deep rims. Okay, most of them are Carbon, but I don't think the wind cares what they are made of!

[TheYak]

yip the ascents are much better' date=' lighter and R series hubs, same as the hubs on the carbon tempests [/quote']

 

Eason Website lists the EA90's as having R4 hubs... Rseries, R4??? I dunno, but I can see from the picture they look different...

[BikeMax]

Deep section wheels rarely cause a problem unless wind is gale force. I have ridden 40s's and similar for 4 years here and never had a problem once you get used to the feel of the deeper rim. That having been said they are by no means essential and really only a nice to have in comparison to light and durable, well built wheels that can be trued and maintained easily.

[no.one.knows]

hey look from a bling factor they are awesome!!! pimp my bike! they also have advantages. the only way to find out is to get a pair i suppose.

 

[TheYak]

If I could afford it, I'd be right there with all the bling that I could muster, but unfortunately, reality intrudes and I must carefully consider what will give me the best bang for the buck. The problem is, I just don't know what bang or even what buck!!